When should I shock my pool?
The ideal time to shock your pool is in the evening after all swimming is complete. In the evening because the sun will not be boiling the chlorine out of your pool, and after everyone is done swimming because shocking is going to bring the chlorine level up to a level that may be irritating to skin and eyes.
Is shock good for your pool?
Shocking your pool regularly will help to keep the water clean and free of contaminants. You should aim to shock your pool about once a week, with the additional shock after heavy use. Some tell-tale signs that your pool needs to be shocked are cloudy, foamy, green, or odourous water.Mar 9, 2020
Is shock treatment and chlorine the same thing?
Are chlorine and shock the same thing? SKIMMER NOTES: No. Chlorine and shock are not the same thing. Shock has a more intense chemical strength than the traditional chlorine sanitizers, and it also differs in how you should apply it to your swimming pool.
How long does it take for the shock treatment in the pool to work?
Keep your pump and filter running. Give the shock a good 12 to 24 hours to work it's magic. If the algae hasn't cleared up after 24-48 hours, clean and brush the pool and add another shock treatment.Aug 7, 2020
Should I shock pool after rain?
Shocking your pool isn't necessary, although, it's not a bad idea either. If you get an extremely heavy rain fall, you could shock your pool for good measure. This will help fight off any contaminants that the rain may have brought to your pool.Jan 23, 2017
What happens if you put too much shock in your pool?
Adding too much shock or overshocking your pool will kill off algae. The negative of adding too much shock is it will upset the chemical balance of your pool. It's likely to do that regardless of if you overshocked the pool or not. The pH will either go up or down depending on which product you used.
Do I add chlorine or shock first?
This is because when you mix chlorine and algaecide together, it renders both of them useless. Hence, you should first shock the pool and wait for the chlorine levels to fall below 5 PPM.Jan 22, 2020
How long does pool shock last?
So if you buy liquid shock, be aware that it only lasts one to two months at the most before it starts to lose effectiveness. While many swimming pool chemicals stay good for years if stored correctly, some pool-maintenance supplies expire more quickly.Mar 10, 2016
Which is better liquid chlorine or shock?
Liquid chlorine and granular shock have the same active chemical that sanitizes your pool, what changes is the strength and the way you use it. Liquid chlorine is less costly, unstabilized and comes in liquid form. Granular shock is stabilized and comes in a solid form that dissolves in your pool.
Should I brush pool before shocking?
Before you start pouring shock in the pool, the first step is to brush the sides and floor of your pool to loosen all the algae. Doing this breaks the skin and allows the pool shock to more easily kill the algae. Once you've done this, it is important to make sure you have the proper pH level in your water.May 9, 2014
Why did my pool turn green after I shocked it?
Pools can immediately turn green after shocking or adding chlorine when they have metals like copper or iron in the water. These metals oxidize when exposed to high levels of chlorine, which makes the pool water turn green. Metals in the water are caused by some algaecides and using well water.
How long do I run my pool pump after shocking?
A pool filter should be run for a minimum of 6 hours after shocking a swimming pool. This is to allow the filter to clean the water and give the shock enough time to fully mix with the pool water. Running the filter after shocking for 24 hours to 7 days is necessary if the pool has a large amount of algae.
What is a dichloroisocyanuric acid?
Dichloroisocyanuric acid, also known as “dichlor,” is a formulation of chlorine and cyanuric acid. It’s a bit pricier than cal hypo, but unlike cal hypo, it doesn’t need to be pre-dissolved and it’s sun-sensitive, which means you can shock your pool any time.
What does shock do to a pool?
What does pool shock do? Adding pool shock to your pool is kind of like power-washing your swimming pool water. By adding higher-than-normal dose of pool sanitizer to your pool water, you’re effectively killing algae, bacteria, and other contaminants -- and making sure they can’t come back to affect your water quality.
Is calcium hypochloride good for pools?
Calcium hypochloride - or “cal hypo,” as the pros say, is a super-concentrated form of chlorine that’s sold in granule or tablet form, and you need to pre-dissolve it before adding it to your pool. It’s super-affordable -- and super-effective at killing algae and harmful bacteria.
Is MPS good for algae?
If you’ve got algae issues, though, MPS might not be the best fit: It’s much less effective at algae remo val than chlorine-based pool shock.
Is Cal Hypo flammable?
It’s super-affordable -- and super-effective at killing algae and harmful bacteria. It’s also super-flammable, which means you need to be careful when handling and storing it. Cal hypo is also quick to burn away in direct sunlight, which means it’s most effective when used at night.
What is non chlorine shock?
Non-Chlorine (Potassium Peroxymonosulfate) Potassium peroxymonosulfate is the technical name for pool shock that doesn't contain any chlorine. It is ideal for pools that use bromine as the sanitizer but it can be used in chlorine sanitized pools.
What is the best shock for a pool?
1. Calcium Hypochlorite. Calcium hypochlorite is the most popular shock because it is cheaper than the other options available and gets the job done. It's slow dissolving and should be pre-mixed in a bucket of water to prevent bleaching of the pool liner and help with dissolving.
How to keep pool from getting algae?
Keep pool circulation system running overnight or as long as the algae killing process takes. Keep the filter clean including backwashing for the entire algae killing process.
How often should I use super chlorine?
The superchlorination feature is designed to increase chlorine production gradually for short intervals and should be used monthly or as often as needed. It isn't a substitute for shocking but can be a great tool for regular maintenance of your pool similar to a preventative algaecide.
How often should I shock my pool?
There are many pool professionals that recommend a weekly or bi-weekly shock as an affordable preventative measure and almost as many that say it's a waste of money. It will depend on how much value you place on peace of mind as well as how well you know your pool.
Why do people use pool shocks?
Pool Shock. A pool shock can be a pool owners best friend because it can quickly turn a pool around that has been left unbalanced and neglected. Like most things it's easier to prevent problems before they get out of hand and keeping your pool chemistry up to par is no exception to this rule. We'll go over pool shock instructions ...
When do you need a pool shock?
A pool shock is a necessity when your chloramine levels are high or you already have algae established. At this point you need to reach breakpoint chlorination and that is exactly what pool shock is designed to do.
What is the active ingredient in pool shock?
It quickly eliminates algae, bacteria, and other harmful contaminants from your pool water. The main active ingredient in this pool shock is 68% calcium hypochlorite for quick sanitizing. Quickly kills algae and bacteria and removes micro-contaminants that make pool water cloudy.
What is pool shock?
This pool shock is one of the most powerful shock treatments you can buy. It also kills the toughest algae and bacteria as well as other harmful water contaminants including green & yellow mustard algae. Treats Up To 30,000 Gallons. Kills All Types Of Algae. Chlorine Shock And Clarifier.
Why do we use shock in pool?
We like this pool shock treatment because it increases the chlorine level in swimming pools to kill bacteria and algae. This pool shock is effective for all swimming pool types including pools with liners and gunite pools, and saltwater pool systems.
Does pool shock work?
You should use this pool shock as a weekly as part of a regular maintenance routine. Overall, this pool shock creates crystal clear water, improves filter performance, and won't impact your pH levels. Kills Bacteria And Algae. Improves Filter Performance.
Can you go swimming in the summer without breaking the bank?
If you want to go swimming this summer without breaking the bank an above ground pool is an excellent choice! Above ground pools are easy to set up and you can be swimming in just a few hours.
What happens when it rains in a pool?
Also, as the rain is falling through the air, it picks up contaminants such as pollen and pollutants and dumps them in your pool. Heavy rain may cause ground runoff to empty into your pool. Thou shalt shock if thy combined chlorine level is at .5 or higher.
What is total chlorine?
Total chlorine is simply the combination of free and combined chlorine. Shocking then releases the combined chlorine and off-gasses the contaminants, increasing the amount of free chlorine in your pool or spa. The question of whether to use a chlorinated or non-chlorinated shock will depend on how much total chlorine you have in your pool or spa. ...
Why does algae grow faster in hot weather?
Also, because algae are a type of plant the extra sunlight causes faster algae growth.
How much chlorine should I use to get rid of algae?
When this happens, you want to quickly get your chlorine level back up to the recommended 3-5ppm (parts per million) before algae or bacteria can gain a foothold. If this is the case, you will want to use a chlorine shock.
What is shocking chlorine?
Shocking is the process of adding chemicals (usually chlorine) to your pool to: break apart chloramines, also known as combined chlorine. quickly raise your chlorine level. kill algae, bacteria or other harmful pathogens. Chloramines Bad, Free Chlorine Good.
Why is chlorine free?
We like free chlorine because when it interacts with these potentially harmful things, it usually kills them and off-gasses them into the atmosphere.
How much free chlorine should I use for a breakpoint?
As a rule, you will need to raise free chlorine to 10 times your combined chlorine to hit what is known as “break point.”. Therefore, it is good to deal with combined chlorine while it is still small. The formula for hitting breakpoint can get a little complicated, so we suggest you talk to your pool professional.
What is the name of the chemical that is used to make chlorine shock?
There are two main types of Chlorine shock (that is, shock containing Chlorine) which are Calcium Hypochlorite (often referred to as Cal-Hypo) and Dichloroisocyanuric acid (often referred to as Di-Chlor). Cal-Hypo is the one you will see for sale most often, primarily because it is not only the cheapest but strong too.
Why is it dangerous to add chlorine to a pool?
If you add too much shock, the water can become dangerous as the chlorine reacts with other chemicals in the water. The calcium in the shock can cause buildup, while the pool’s chlorine levels can stay high for more than a week, turning the pool dangerous to be in.
How does shock affect chlorine levels?
Shock increases the free chlorine level. There are two ways that shock increases the free chlorine levels within a pool. The first way is by adding more chlorine to the pool. The second is by reacting to the stored, combined chlorine already in the pool’s water, releasing it.
What does shock do to a pool?
But exactly what does pool shock do? Pool shock increases the total amount of free chlorine in your pool, either by adding more chlorine or other shock chemicals that break apart combined chlorine . The increased level of free chlorine then destroys contaminants such as algae, bacteria and chloramines.
Why do you use pool shock?
This is often used because it does not need to dissolve into the pool water; it is already a liquid and starts reacting immediately. The last type of pool shock contains no chlorine but oxygen instead and is only used if you want to go swimming soon after adding it to the pool.
How long does it take to swim in a non chlorine shock?
They contain no chlorine but instead uses oxygen to to remove contaminants from the pool. With this type of shock you can usually swim in as little as 20 minutes after adding it to your pool.
What is a di chlor shock?
Di-Chlor is a granulated, stabilized chlorine.
What is the purpose of chlorine in a pool?
Chlorine Level. Technically speaking, our purpose here is to send the chlorine levels of the pool into shock, straight through the roof – at least temporarily. This should help bring your pool water at a more sanitary level, making it safe for you to swim without having to worry about the bacteria.
What is the benefit of pool shock?
It goes without saying that the biggest benefit of pool shock is its ability to clear your pool of all the bacteria and algae in one, clean move. If the regular treatment was seen as the “oral pill,” then the shock is practically the “intravenous injection.”.
What are the drawbacks of pool shock?
One disadvantage of using almost any kind of pool shock is that it might add to the cyanuric level of your pool. This is why you need to invest in a good tester, to ensure that the chlorine levels are not too high, nor too low.
Why do you use pool shock?
Most of the time, pool shock is used when the pool has not been given proper maintenance for quite a long time.
What happens if your pool shock is too low?
This is why you have to buy a product that features a neutral pH. If the pH level is too low, then it will turn your water corrosive and it might end up damaging your pipes and overall health of the pool. On the other hand, if it is too low, then it might be irritating for the skin and eyes – which might end up damaging the overall health of the pool owner.
Is it safe to use pool shock every week?
Plus, considering that it activates mostly the existent free chlorine in your pool (while giving you a chlorine boost), it is safe to use it every week.
Can you use a skimmer to dissolve shock?
If you are tired of continuously waiting for your pool shock to dissolve, then you might want to try this one. You may use the skimmer to add this into your pool, or you may pour it directly – as per popular opinion, it tends to dissolve nicely.
What is dichlorocya in pool?
Dichlorocya... let's just call it dichlor, everyone calls it that anyway. This is basically your stabilised chlorine since it has cyanuric acid in it. Be careful when using stabilised chlorine when shocking your pool as too much cyanuric acid or stabiliser can pull down the efficacy of your chlorine's sanitising power.
How to shock a pool with granulated chlorine?
You also need to shock your pool with chlorine. Add 2 cups (400 grams) of granulated chlorine (not stabilised) or 3 tubs of 15L chlorine ( as it's actually only 20% chlorine and the rest is water). If your pool is salt water chlorinated, add 2 to 4 bags of salt (once again you should get your salt tested at your local pool shop to see exactly where it's sitting) and turn your chlorinator to 100% for a couple of days to really boost that chlorine and get that water sanitised. Your salt levels should be sitting at around 5000ppm (parts per million), with each 20kg bag of salt equating to 500ppm.
How much calcium is in Cal Hypo?
The purity of cal hypo is anywhere from 65% to 75% chlorine depending on the manufacturer. Take note that using cal hypo also adds 0.8ppm of calcium to your pool for every 1.0ppm free chlorine added to the pool. If you're using this to shock your pool, don't forget to check your calcium levels down the line.
How to kill algae in a light green pool?
Light Green Pool Water. If you have a light green pool, you need to shock your pool (adding more acid and chlorine than usual) in order to kill the algae. Algae feeds off high pH. Chlorine isn't as effective when your pH is high. You’ll need to lower your pH using hydrochloric acid.
How long does a chlorinator last?
The average lifespan of an electrode is 3 to 5 years.
What is the oldest form of chlorine?
Calcium Hypochlorite or Cal Hypo. Cal hypo is one of the oldest forms of chlorine used for pools dating back as far as 1928. This comes in granular form and this has to be dissolved thoroughly in water before being broadcasted around the pool.
How to make chlorine more effective?
Ensure that non-stabilised chlorine is used. Lower your pH with hydrochloric acid. By doing this, the chlorine will be more effective. Ensure the system is on and running for a 24 hour period to disperse the shock treatment around the pool and clean the filter for any debris captured .
